Spirean Gazette, once again presents itself before you esteemed people
of Sapience. The last issue was considered as a resounding success
across the continent and a pain in a proper place within some circles.
Fear not, dear readers! We paid no heed to those who tried to stifle our
voice with threats of torture, malevolence and harassment for we are the
bearers of naked truth and our independence is unquestionable! Now, for
our second issue we were able to arrange a very exclusive interview with
Lady Mariena, who commands immeasurable amount of mystical forces and
she actually read the fortune of the Gazette itself! Also for our loyal
readers, Lady Sibatti prepared a surprise in her shop, make sure to take
a glance at the advertorial section. Without further ado I present you
the second issue of Spirean Gazette!

-Mr. Spires (Chief Editor)

DISCLAIMER: This publication IS NOT endorsed, funded or supported by
Spinesreach in any official capacity. Readers are fully responsible for
the mental disturbances they might experience while reading this gazette
and the senile old man who delivered this issue to the distribution
center should be considered exempt from any responsibility.

1. FOR A FISTFUL OF YLEM!

In this story we are featuring Tekias Uymari, the Hero of Crystalline
Void who saved the world and damsel Siofra Elindian from a grizzly end
at the hands of crystalline horrors, and Daishin D'baen, a determined
man who knows how to process bacon in thousand different methods. It all
started when they met upon a focus extraction site where the control was
in the hands of the Storm Mage. Master of Bacon recklessly tried to
wrest the control for his city and while doing so pushed Tekias far away
into the ranks of approaching Enorian and Duiran warbands. Twenty people
on each limb of the Mage, warbands made a concentrated attack (do not
ask us how is that possible, they apparently have some mighty fine
circus performers in their ranks!) and forced our battered hero to do a
tactical retreat! Soon Daishin also had to perform a retreat of his own
in a less spectacular fashion. This -incident- caused hostilities
between Sciomancers and Daishin for weeks but eventually mediation
between our heroes was successful at the audience of two Spirean
Senators: Tina Cardinalis and Kanivara Sor'Tirivan. But Daishin still
was enemied to the guild of arcane users, thus we have sent our
reporters to get his statement for our esteemed Gazette:

"I consider the matter closed if I get unenemied once I am able. If not
then my previous statement still stands and I have the full support of
the Teradrim behind me. This matter was taken out of hand by Teani and
Tekias, the former because of her ignorance, the latter because of his
arrogance. I wish no further hostilities and would gladly prefer to
break bacon with the Sciomancers however that does not mean my resolve
will bend. Furthermore, I will not be "commended" to go against the
Ideals of the Teradrim and of Bloodloch no matter who demands it and I
would expect our "allies" to know this before making such ludicrous
demands. If he ever tried to bark commands at me again i'm going to
bacon him harder then I did the last time."

We were not exactly privy to what happened behind the closed doors but
eventually Shadow Warden Teani Tash'Vetra lifted the enemy status of
bacon-meister. Was it taking a step back? A show of goodwill? Or desire
to not deal with such things? We will never know, since she avidly
avoids our hounding reporters across the continent. Instead we asked
Daishin why his enemy status was rescinded:

"I didn't even notice. I guess Teani got scared. Hardly surprising,
though by the looks of things she can destroy a guild without my help."

We are speechless, dear readers and it is such heartbreaking to see that
allies can turn on each other over one paltry reason or another.

2. NOBODY EXPECTS BLOODLOCHIAN INQUISITION!

While our reporters were hounding after Lady Alathesia D'baen to learn
the secret formula of the beauty oil she uses to keep her wings all
shiny and healthy, they stumbled upon an interrogation at the gates of
Bloodloch presided by Lady Zenobia Bouchard. Losing interest (Edit: Much
apologies, Regent! -Mr. Spires) on the oil, they shifted their attention
to the person who was interrogated: One of the former Archmages of
Ascendril, Lady Lleminara were answering questions regarding her
ever-shifting allegiances among cities. For Duiran she said "Duiran was
left behind when the Speakers went... crazy on their power 'n made sure
those with questions were stomped down." which made us wonder that the
seemingly peaceful nature commune, might not be that peaceful. After
years of vagrancy with no city to call home, she found Spinesreach but
her luck did not go well there too. Wounded Kelki woman claimed to be
pursued by Nenelos Sor'Tirivan who by her words "wanted in'r panties,
didn't get that, started throwin' a fit an' hasn't stopped calling her a
worthless harlot sack'o pathetically weak bla-bla-bla since..." and
additionally stated that he brought the harassment of his entire family
upon the woman. Her next stop was apparently Enorian and for that the
striking part was "Those in control did nothin' but sleep 'round in
their harems and packs." After the exhausting interrogation, Lady
Lleminara pledged herself to the City of Bloodloch.

3. O CORDIA D'BAEN, WHERE ART THOU?

After an anonymous tip to our headquarters, we decided to investigate
the sudden disappearance of former leader of House D'baen, Praetor
Cordia D'baen. After our last visit to Bloodloch (still some of our
reporters are locked in a local sanitarium) we were reluctant to pursue
this lead at first. But our journalism ethics gave us no respite; we
gathered up our equipment, drank many barrels of Liquid Steel and barged
into Bloodloch to investigate this mystery. At each turn we were faced
with afraid faces, people brushing us away and vampires trying to bite
us. Official statement of the city is that she simply disappeared
leaving no trace at all. Some claimed that she might have turned mad
from the unnatural change she went through to become a man. Others said
she is just retired to somewhere below the ground, resting in peace. But
we are getting a very nasty smell and that is not the smell of wet
warhounds permeating this city. We will continue to be on her trail...as
long as our sanity endures.

4. FIVE DAYS WITH A BURLY CHEST!

After a tip from Lady Aishia Celaeno about the existence of a very
secretive and rare cow within the Burly Chest Tavern, we decided to send
a team of professionals to investigate this enigma.

Day 1: We barged into the tavern disguising ourselves as weary
travellers, though our accents apparently gave us away since patrons
were glaring at us like we have the Bloom. We quickly ordered some Iron
Hill's Fleck's milk and enjoyed the sweet milky taste which refreshed us
quite, after the long journey to the tavern. Though we could not find
the cow, thus before patrons got more agitated, decided to depart.

Day 2: This time we had the chance to get acquainted with the
proprietess of the tavern: Pentarch Rasani Morrog and her hound Cahir
who apparently was not that happy to see us. We ate some beef and drank
a bottle of Jaziran Bite to wet our palate, enjoying its lingering
taste. Lady Rasani confirmed the existence of the rare cow but stated
that Northerners are not allowed to see it. One of our reporters got
upset stomach and vomitted...but we truly believe it was more about his
stomach rather then the -fine- foods and drinks this establishment
offers.

Day 3: Still no clue to the whereabouts of the cow, but Mr. Spires
ordered us to inspect the drinks instead so we threw enough gold on
different beverages which could keep a family fed for one year. First
Priestess provided us a nice taste of pear mixed with vanilla, while the
peach flavored Shepard's Tea eased our strained muscles and as a
finisher we gulped down a bottle of Oneiromancy for its bitter
aftertaste. Reluctantly we dropped the bag of gold on the counter and
made our way back to the headquarters for our report.

Day 4: The day was uneventful. While sipping on tankards filled with
Syvelium's Sword, hound of the proprietess was busy sniffing at a woman
named Zuly who harbored an alternate personality named Xen. We noted
that anomaly for future and exchanged a few cordial sentences with the
proprietess herself.

Day 5: In our last visit, we ordered Odreb Mhida; enjoying its heavy
mango flavor and sweet honey punch, quickly we joined to the merry
patrons who were singing some bawdy songs. One of the patrons, Lady Didi
Lionheart said for the tavern "Great company" while Lady Rasani notified
us that "Didi's one of our best customers! In fact, I think she was my
very first customer." As it is our custom we asked her if she can say
something for our esteemed readers. Chuckling at us this behemoth of a
proprietess said "It's a place where all are welcome. People don't have
to see eye to eye to enjoy a good brew together." We paid for our drinks
and left the Burly Chest Tavern with rather pleasant memories.

-----Advertisements, Commercials and Stuff-----

- "Whether you are looking for curios, home furnishings, or thoughtful
gifts, find something unique for the discerning shopper at Hollow's End
in Duiran. Enjoy a taste of the exotic while you shop the showroom
floor, featuring spicy Salurian and Moghedu cuisine creations by
Esrytesh dur Naya. For a limited time, use the code 'Gazette' to receive
a complimentary gift for its devoted readers."

- Missing!: Seeking Rashar Del'baeth. Those who have any information
regarding this missing individual will be rewarded. Contact: Trager
Nebre'seir

- A man was found crushed to death near river Zaphar. Experts claim the
death occurred due to a severe impact on the head of the victim.
Possibly from the erratic shape of the head the impact considered to be
caused by a large piece of rock. Oddly the man's clothes were covered
with molten ice-cream.

- OFFICIAL PUBLIC POLL (Please send your answers to our editors)

Who should be hugging Rhyot next?

(a) Daishin
(b) Alathesia
(c) Zenobia
(d) Abhorash
(e) Other

- Recent research has indicated that being exposed to ylem increases the
hostility within people. One of the two miners who attended an
extraction operation claimed that his friend repeatedly tried to spill
his guts with his knife. Instead he gutted his friend with a pickaxe and
said "Ylem made me do it!" The miner was absolved from the murder by
local authorities.

-----Advertisements, Commercials and Stuff-----

***SPIREAN GAZETTE: EXCLUSIVE***

[An ebony haired Rajamalan woman with crimson eyes caressing a deck of
cards with sharp silver-painted fingernails is depicted here]

City of Spires, the beacon of hope and good booze was our destination
for this particular assignment. After braving through the labyrinthine
streets of this fine city, we found ourselves in Aquila General Store.
Going upstairs felt like entering through a portal to reach an unknown
place cut from the rest of the continent. Five aged lanterns were
illuminating the parlor and the light gleaming off of the silver tiled
walls gave us both a sense of foreboding and excitement. Finally we
could avert our eyes from the details of the parlor just to find one of
our friends staring like a simpering idiot towards the enchanting
Rajamalan woman covered with necklaces, cuffs, bands and chains. After
Lady Mariena beckoned us to her table, we felt compelled to approach
whether we want it or not.

- Spirean Gazette: "First of all, Lady Mariena. Thank you for allowing
us to bask in your presence. Could you tell us what drove you towards
opening this fine parlor?"

- Lady Mariena: "Well, I have always walked a more mystical path, from
Sciomancy to Shamanism to Elemancy and back to Sciomancy. From the
mysteries of the Blood to the mysteries of Idreth. My own Goddess was
one of Mystery and Knowledge. What drove me towards opening this parlor
was a love for the mystical that can cause excitement in our mundane,
every day lives."

At this point our staring friend started to drool as well, but we
punched him as hard as we can before tasking him with the typing of the
words uttered by the fortune teller.

- SG: "You have definitely walked a mystical path! Some people of course
will be skeptical of your prowess, because they may think the fates of
people cannot be known by mere mortals. What would you say to those
people?"

- LM: "Those people are skeptics. The truth can only be shown if they
are brave enough to try it out. If they do not, it does not really
matter what they say, yes? If I am wrong, they will know so and that
will be the end of that. If I am right, they have learned a great deal
about themselves and their future."

- SG: "That is quite an interesting outlook on the matter, Lady Mariena.
As instructed by Mr. Spires, we would like to give our readers a taste
of your mystical prowess. Will you read the fortune of Spirean Gazette?"

- LM: "Within this box are twenty one cards that will help me determine
the future of the Gazette. We need to choose three. Will you choose
three numbers on behalf of the Spirean Gazette, Mr. Reporter?"

- SG: Of course, we will be choosing them Lady Mariena. Give us a
second, please!

Since this is about the fate of the whole organization; we brought out
several sales charts, reader profile researches and volumes of dusty
tomes on how to become rich from our packs. After hours of deliberations
we came up with the most favorable numbers.

- SG: 7, 11 and 19.

She pulled out three cards one of them of was depicting an active
warzone with a collapsing caravan. The second one was portraying the
marble egg of Father Ivoln, Lord of the Earth. The third one was
depicting a very stylized sun, each ray an individual knot that flows
into the center.

- LM: "Caravan, Ivoln, and Sun. An interesting spread, an interesting
one indeed."

- SG: "O, Lady Mariena tell us what you see in our future."

Taking her time she laid out the cards before us and pointed towards the
Caravan card.

- LM: "The Gazette feels a certain power and control. It's asserting its
thoughts into the world."

Now drawing our attention towards the Ivoln card.

- LM: "This though...There is no accountability for the Gazette's
actions, save the halls of time.."

And then finally tapping on the Sun card.

- LM: "You will have minor success though. Be wary of the fun this
Gazette provides, where some bask in its entertainment, others will burn
and resentment will shine instead."

- SG: "That is definitely foreboding... Do you have anything special you
would like to tell to our readers?"

- LM: "Ultimately, the person across the table from me choose their own
cards, as you have seen. What the cards say is dependent on what they
choose. Destinies are in our control, always. But the future is more fun
when you can glimpse at what might be. Remember to ask the right
questions when choosing the cards and all will be revealed."

We quickly thanked the mysterious fortune teller and decided to drag our
enchanted friend away from Lady Mariena's presence. Three broken ribs,
one bruised cheek and one severed right leg was the cost of this
venture. We do hope our readers will appreciate that we do not shy away
from tampering with the forces of mystical nature, in order to provide
them the best reading enjoyment.

--------------

Spirean Gazette is the leading source of information available to public
and published irregularly(on management's whim) from time to time. Don't
mix it with imitations which may come out in future. Spirean Gazette
year 466. All rights reserved.


Penned by my hand on Quensday, the 6th of Midsummer, in the year 466 MA.